Delaware's Makeda Nicholas shoots over William and Mary's Chandler Smith in the second half of Delaware's 67-63 win at the Bob Carpenter Center Tuesday.(Photo: WILLIAM BRETZGER/THE NEWS JOURNA, WILLIAM BRETZGER/THE NEWS JOURNAL)Buy Photo

Makeda Nicholas had to adapt to new coach Natasha Adair's faster-paced playing style last year with her eyes instead of her legs.

The University of Delaware senior forward started three games and played four early in the season before a knee injury shut her down.

From then on, the 6-1 forward with 72 career starts concentrated on getting an education.

“It was tough to be out there watching my team and not being able to help and contribute. But it was also a learning lesson for me,” Nicholas said. “ ... I got a chance to watch [Adair’s] style of play better, learn what she wants from the team, her system.”

Now Nicholas, having retained the year of eligibility last season, is back for a fifth year. And it couldn’t have come at a better time with Delaware opening the 2018-19 season Friday night at Northern Iowa in the Preseason WNIT.

“Her toughness and her grit is what we need just from a leadership standpoint, an identity standpoint,” said Adair.

Nicholas has averaged 6.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 97 career games.

“I don’t think it’s a lot of pressure for me,” said Nicholas, from North Babylon (N.Y.) High. “I think we all have an understanding that, yes, Nicole is the leading scorer [and rebounder] on the team but we all have to step up in every area.”

“She’s always directing the floor, whether in zone or man, helping us out, telling us what to do because she’s had so much experience,” she said.

While it was a major disappointment to not play last year, Nicholas now views the season as “a blessing in disguise.” She graduated in May with a degree in psychology and is now pursuing a master’s degree in education.

Nicholas had a torn meniscus in her right knee and also patellar tendon issues. She had two surgeries, the last in February.

“I think I have a lot more confidence now,” she said. “Sitting back and watching CAA play I realized what I can bring to help my team win ... I got smarter.”

Nicholas is just a 33.4 percent shooter in her UD career, but she had a career-best 42.9 field-goal percentage last year before being sidelined and can put the ball on the floor and step away from the basket.

Adair appreciates her versatility.

“She’s going to contribute in so many different ways and [is] not a one-dimensional player,” Adair said. “She’ll be a hard guard when she really kinda nestles into all of those expectations and really trusts me and trusts herself. The one thing that I have given her is freedom.’’